Thailand Tourism Festival 2015 to be held 14-18 January

To celebrate the grand opening celebration of the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has rescheduled the country’s biggest tourism event, the Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF), to be held during 14-18 January, 2015, at Lumpini Park, Bangkok.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik said, “The TTF is normally held in June in conjunction with the country’s largest travel trade fair, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus. But 2015 is a very special year for Thailand’s tourism, so we have rescheduled the dates to coincide with the grand opening celebration of the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign to showcase our unique cultural treasures and the Thai way of happiness to international visitors, as well as to encourage the Thai people to take part in the preservation of Thai traditions and culture.”

In 2015, the TTF marks its 35th anniversary and forms part of the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign in offering a showcase of the kingdom’s glorious centuries-old culture and rich natural heritage that can be classified into five categories, or five major regions of Thailand – Central Region, North, Northeast, East and South.

Mr. Thawatchai said, “During the five-day festival, local and international visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in Thainess or the Thai way of life through observation and participation in various activities available at the five uniquely-designed Thailand tourism villages. At the same time, visitors can take part in the TAT’s 55th anniversary and the Lumpini Park’s 90th anniversary celebrations. The TTF 2015 is a festival that should not be missed.”

The five cultural villages will showcase the variations in the Thai way of life from the five regions of Thailand. Each is designed to evoke the distinct atmospheres of the region it represents.

The Central Region – Visiting the Central Region in a Variety of Styles: There will be displays of Thai-style communal houses and villages as well as floating markets, village stalls and cultural performances that portray some of this region’s ancient folk wisdom. There will also be presentations that enable visitors to learn about the region’s 19 provinces while a number of folk performances will be performed at the zone’s dedicated stage.

The North – Celebrated Cultural Treasures and Abundant Natural Beauty: This zone will feature a traditional northern Thai village life through demonstrations of local arts and crafts techniques; such as, cloth weaving and silverware making, all of which make northern Thailand a very unique region that is rich in cultural and natural heritage. There will also be a range of cultural performances to enjoy and the chance to experience shopping in a charming northern Thai-style market.

The Northeast – The Land of Ancient Civilisation: A replica of the sacred Phra That Phanom will be the landmark for this zone, where visitors will be mesmerised by unique cultural treasures and outstanding local wisdom that are seen in the indigenous architecture of the buildings and the rich element of the festivals. There will also be a range of demonstrations of the region’s unique arts and crafts, as well as a host of cultural performances.

The East – The Colours of the East: This is a showcase of the East-Meets-West way of life in this region, which has seen a rise of modern-world attractions in recent years. Hence, the zone will be presented with a replica of “Mimosa Pattaya: The City of Love” tourist attraction, and will be highlighting several other tourist sites; such as, the Art in Paradise – 3D art museum, the Teddy Bear Museum and the Bottle Art Museum. There will also be a range of stage performances, demonstrations of local arts and crafts, and displays of local fruits and food unique to the region.

The South – The Sea of Natural and Cultural Heritage: In depicting the region’s crystal-clear sea, lush forests and unique blend of people and cultures, a replica of a southern Thai-style house will take the centre stage in showcasing the ancient folk wisdom. The zone will be featuring sacred festivals unique to the region, including Chak Phra, or the hauling of the Buddha image, as well as a wide variety of folk performances and local arts and crafts.

At the main stage, visitors are also invited to enjoy daily traditional and contemporary performances, including some rare Thai folk dance traditions. Highlights include the Khon Thai masked dance, a Thai martial art show, Thai puppet show, traditional Thai gag shows, as well as concerts and music performances from well-known singers and famous bands. In addition, there will be a daily “Discover Thainess” parade taking place within the park at 16.00 hrs.

TAT Governor added, “These are just a few of the wide range of activities that TAT has planned for 2015 to pass on the Thai way of happiness to international tourists worldwide, so they could fully experience Thainess and understand the friendly character of the Thai people.”

The TTF 2015 will take place at the Lumpini Park at 16.00-22.00 hrs during 14-16 January and at 12.00-22.00 hrs during the weekend of 17-18 January. Admission is free.